A Sussex police officer who attempted to falsely claim ownership of a large quantity of money handed in as lost property has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Sergeant Peter Yeats was sentenced to three months in jail, suspended for a year. He also has to carry out 60 hours of community service after admitting offences of fraud.

During his trial, the court heard that Yeats had seen a record of £3,500 being handed in to the police station and, under the name of Kirk Rose, called the police several times saying his wife had dropped it the day before.

The money however, was in a damaged state – as if had been outside for more than a day – and Yeats’ colleagues became suspicious.

They rang a number for Kirk Rose and he said he knew nothing about the money. Further enquiries showed the calls came from Yeats’ police-issue mobile phone.

He was arrested on September 16 on suspicion of fraud and resigned from his role as a neighbourhood response sergeant.Chief Inspector Bruce Mathews, of Sussex Police, said: "Peter Yeats' actions went against the high standards expected of a Sussex Police officer."